need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

[Ryanlewis2010]

Hey guys im trying to find away to make a new motor for my 19ftr it had a 3.0 in it but the out drive is cracked so it will need to be replaced so i see it as a reason to build a new motor so i can buy a diff ratio drive. Now my question is what is the easiest car motor to convert to a merc. i want it to be a v8 so what do you recommend. Ill be Pulling it out of the junk yard so ill be rebuilding it what major changes will ill be looking at besides the exhaust manifolds. No new camshafts heads? im trying to figure it all out in the next few weeks since im working mad overtime so i figured ill be able to do all this haha.

remember it will have to be something avail pretty common in a Junkyard

Thanks Ryan
Sorry forgot to add what ill be looking to do with it. A, carry 5 people 30-50 gal of fuel, necessary beverages, water sports, AND BE EASY as possible on the wallet while maintain the hole shot and watersports

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

your best bet is to find a complete motor and drive from carb to prop if your looking to replace a 3.0 with a v8

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

but i was doing the math and it seems cheaper to find a car motor that i can rebuild and then marianise it and find a drive later on i have the one boat running but i want this one to be done slowly no need to rush because i have to redo the stringers and deck over the summer as i work at a theme park so ill have very little time to work on it, so that will give me some time to find a good price on stuff

 

[kellmike626]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

The best vehicles to look at are the truck motors. The 4.3 V6 is common in many GMC and Chevy trucks.

However, you have to be careful. Chances are, if the hull had a 3.0L motor, it's designed for it, so usually you can't go much bigger unless it is rated to handle a bigger engine size. Plus, you have to consider the weight in the back. A V8 weighs a heck of a lot more than a 4 cylinder.
You have to make sure also that you have enough room for the motor in the actual engine compartment.

This project could turn out to be more expensive than you think, and you might be better off just buying a boat with a V8 engine in it, and scrapping the old boat.

there are more people on here who would know more than me, but form what I've read it seems cheaper to just sell what you have and get a different boat. Cheaper and safer in the long run.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

i would check your math. to rebuild your talking $1500, add $1500 to marinize, then add at least another $2k to piece together a drive.

for $5k, you can buy yourself a boat you can put in the water tomorrow.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

well my rebuilding cost are extremely lowered then most. As to i have dealer connections and part suppliers so i get most parts 1/2 off other people. also i do all my own work besides the head an magnaflux so im looking at 400 on the machine shop and like 400 on any parts i need. the biggest thing i see is the drive, now what are your opinions on a 4.3 i can get a running 4.3 with drive for 2500 just gotta get the money. thats the other reason i wanna do the rebuild because i can stop any time i need to get more money and then restart when i get enough.

 

[Bondo]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

well my rebuilding cost are extremely lowered then most. As to i have dealer connections and part suppliers so i get most parts 1/2 off other people. also i do all my own work besides the head an magnaflux so im looking at 400 on the machine shop and like 400 on any parts i need. the biggest thing i see is the drive, now what are your opinions on a 4.3 i can get a running 4.3 with drive for 2500 just gotta get the money. thats the other reason i wanna do the rebuild because i can stop any time i need to get more money and then restart when i get enough.

Ayuh,... So buy a Beat Boat motor....

If ya buy a Beat truck motor, 'n rebuild it cheap, the marine parts, bought piece by piece will drive the costs through the roof...
Buy a beat boat motor, 'n ya GOT the parts...

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

ill have to look but finding a good donor boat aint that easy in orlando on the coast maybe but not inland. AND in case i cant get a boat motor would a chevy s10 form 83-96 have one cuz there are two that were just put in the JY today

 

[Jmunk]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

Just so you know any motor besides the factory motor will require a lot of fabrication work in terms of mounts, plumbing, etc. Do you have the room width wise for anything besides a inline ? If it were me and I wanted a boat with a 4.3L or V8, then I would find one that came that way from the factory. It's a lot of work to swap and if not done the right way is a waste of time and money. If you get a V8 from the junkyard you will need a marine alternator, starter, manifolds, risers, flywheel, coupler. Just to name a few things.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: need new motor, What donor vehicles to look at?

yea there is plenty of room if im correct b4 whatever happened in 2005 (long back story that i don know about all i know is it is legal now) it had a v8 or v6 in it. and the transom isnt rotten nor are the stringers but im going to redo them anyways just to add strength and i can arrange the stringers to fit the motor.